THE ELEPHANT MAN to Open At Historic El Portal Theatre

After several years and multiple attempts to obtain the rights, tenacity and perseverance prevailed. Co-Producers Tom Vitorino and Alice L. Walker (www.ThursdayNightTheaterClub.com), are pleased to announce they are bringing one of the most important plays of the second half of the twentieth century, The Elephant Man, by Bernard Pomerance, back to Los Angeles at The Historic El Portal Theatre. Opening March 21 - 23 and April 3 - 14, 2019

THE ELEPHANT MAN is based on the life of Joseph Merrick,. The play opened in London in 1977. It premiered on Broadway in 1979 and won all of the major theater awards, including three Tony Awards, three Obie Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It was revived in both 2002 and 2014. And now, will open with all the deserved bravado in the spectacular El Portal Theatre.

REASON AND RIGHTS FOR THE ELEPHANT MAN FROM TOM VITORINO

"In 2011, I contracted the Bell's Palsy virus. The entire left side of my face was paralyzed. I had to tape my left eye open during the day, and tape it shut at night. My nose was being pulled across my face by the strong muscles on the right side, and that made my left nostril collapse. I would drool and slur my speech. Out in public during the early stage of this condition; I was met by sympathetic looks, gasps, and a few mean spirited passing comments. But one comment stuck; "Hey, it's the Elephant Man"! Those words never left me, and what was meant as an insult became a gift that made me discover " The Elephant Man", a play by Bernard Pomerance. The relevance and power of his play continues to deepen four decades after its debut. Needless to say, I did not choose this play, oddly enough it chose me, and I am grateful."

TOM VITORINO - Co - Director/Founder of Thursday Night Theater Club.

Tom has performed in numerous theatrical productions on stages in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, New York, Cedar City, London, San Francisco, and Los Angeles; from Noises Off @ The Olivier Theater at the National Theater, to Hamlet @ The Randall L. Jones Theater for the USF. In television, he has had recurring roles on Port Charles, and Lords of The Mafia. He has appeared in over 15 national commercials including spots for Carl's Jr./Hardee's, Yamaha, and Coca Cola. He recently portrayed real life priest/activist Blase Bonpane in the EWTN movie "Called and Chosen".

ALICE L. WALKER - Co - Director/Founder of Thursday Night Theater Club.

Originally from Chicago, Alice is an award winning actress, screenwriter and former pro ballet dancer. She has directed and/or produced over 30 musicals and ballets. Theater credits include Drusilla in Beauty & The Beast, Mrs. Cratchet in A Christmas Carol, Judy Turner in Chorus Line and Sister Margeretta in The Sound of Music to name a few. Film credits include the upcoming feature film Abruptio opposite Jordan Peele and Robert Englund, opposite Steven Bauer and Ken Howard in A Numbers Game, and Riddance in which she won a Best Actress award (PWFF) opposite Jim Parrack.

THE ELEPHANT MAN is set to open March 21 - 23 and April 3 - 14, 2019. Press will be invited to review on March 22 @ 8PM. Information and tickets will go on sale through The El Portal website: www.ElPortalTheatre.com Located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd. No. Hollywood, CA. 91601. Information about Thursday Night Theater Club: www.ThursdayNightTheaterClub.com

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